March 2014

04/11/14

The drumbeat of allegations against felon and former Gov. John G. Rowland came to a crescendo Friday as Rowland made his first appearance in federal court to answer a series of federal campaign law violations that could put him behind bars for the rest of his life.

04/10/14

Revising typical Republican policies on issues, such as immigration, that have alienated voters in the past, should now be seen as opportunity to make the party “young, dynamic, vibrant and emerging again,” and to move the country’s economy forward, former Florida Governor and possible presidential candidate Jeb Bush told hundreds of Connecticut Republicans Thursday night.
“If we want to be young and dynamic again, we need to be young and dynamic again. And that means we should consider immigration reform not as a problem but as a huge opportunity,” Bush said, speaking to the economic growth opportunities immigration reform could provide.
Bush acknowledged the buzz his recent comments on immigration reform had created, when he suggested...

04/10/14

As Connecticut Republicans filtered their way through the lobby of the Hilton Hotel in Stamford Thursday night, so did the rumored news of ex-Gov. John G. Rowland’s indictment, announced by the Department of Justice right before the event began.
The news broke as staff of the hotel worked to finish pouring water for the nearly 800 guests who would attend the Republicans’ 36th annual Prescott Bush Awards Dinner.
While state Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr. vowed the evening was the kick-off of a “Comeback for Connecticut,” the drama incurred by the news of another indictment against Rowland was not far from Republicans’ minds.
“While there may be great fascination in this story, the fact is John Rowland has no connection to...

04/10/14

Disgraced former Gov. John G. Rowland was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in New Haven on seven charges, alleging that he attempted to conceal the extent of his involvement in two Congressional campaigns in the state’s 5th District.
Rowland, who resigned from his position as governor in 2004 and served 10 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to corruption charges, will be arraigned in federal court in New Haven Friday afternoon. The U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut announced the indictment in a press release Thursday evening.
The indictment alleges that the 56-year-old Rowland devised schemes to work for the campaigns of Republicans Mark Greenberg in 2010 and Lisa Wilson-Foley in 2012. While Greenberg rejected Rowland’s offer,...

04/09/14

A member of the Kennedy political dynasty has announced a run for political office in Connecticut.
Ted Kennedy Jr., the son of the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., announced he will run for state senate Tuesday night in the twelfth district. The district is currently represented by Edward Meyer who is not running for re-election.
According to the New Haven Register, Kennedy is the first to declare a run for Meyer's seat. The district covers towns along the shoreline, including Branford, Durham, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison and North Branford.
"I’m proud of my family’s legacy of standing up for working families, for social justice and for political and economic fairness for all,” Kennedy said according to the Register.
Read...

04/01/14

Though a looming indictment could suggest otherwise, former governor and convicted felon John Rowland told listeners to his drive-time radio show Tuesday he just wants to “respect the process.”
Rowland addressed — or didn’t address — the newest scandal to which he’s linked: Former congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley and her husband, Brian Foley, pleaded guilty Monday to illegal contributions after they gave Rowland $35,000 though they didn’t report it on financial disclosures.
“I am not going to be discussing the recent news and legal developments,” Rowland said at the top of the show on WTIC. “I’m sure that you all understand, and I want to respect the process.”
In his next breath, Rowland...

03/31/14

Former governor and convicted felon John Rowland was paid $35,000 through a scheme by former Congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley and her husband Brian Foley, the two admitted in court.
Both Foleys pleaded guilty to making illegal campaign contributions. Rowland is referred to as a unindicted “political advisor 1” and was being paid for work for the campaign, though he was hired to work as a consultant for Foley's businesses. Court documents show Rowland was paid in increments of through an intricate plan by the Foley campaign, Rowland and attorneys so it would not appear as though Rowland was being paid by the campaign.
Documents also show that Rowland asked for a bonus should Wilson-Foley win the election. Wilson-Foley later lost to Andrew...

03/28/14

Incumbent Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will run for a second term, he announced Friday.
It was widely expected the Democratic governor would run for re-election, though he had remained mum on any future plans. Malloy previously told reporters he likely wouldn't make an announcement about his decision to run until after the end of the current legislative session in May.
Malloy's campaign Twitter account, which had remained private until today's announcement, now features a logo saying "I'm in."
"Dan Malloy has focused on strengthening Connecticut’s future. We’ve given small businesses the help they need to grow and create good jobs, balanced the budget and reduced the state’s long-term debt by billions, and made Connecticut...

03/26/14

Connecticut's minimum wage will increase incrementally to $10.10 by 2017, after legislation was passed by the overwhelming majority of Democrats in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will sign the bill Thursday, according to his office, at Cafe Beauregard. The New Britain restaurant is the spot where Malloy and Obama and other Democratic governors from New England ate prior to Obama's speech at Central Connecticut State University calling Congress and individual states to raise the minimum wage.
“I am proud that Connecticut is once again a leader on an issue of national importance. Increasing the minimum wage is not just good for workers, it’s also good for business,” Malloy said in a statement....